Behavioral Medicine Services

UPMC Cancer Centers Behavioral Medicine provides a range of supportive care and psychological services to patients and families. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer may be stressful and many experience distress and poorer quality of life than they had previously. Some want to take a more active role in prevention of recurrent or new cancers once treatments are completed. A number of patients and family members may experience transient depression, anxiety, or sleep loss and some experience persistent pain or fatigue. Behavioral medicine offers programs that are designed to address these issues, through traditional counseling and therapy for patients or families.

For more than 10 years, Behavioral Medicine has provided for cancer patients and their families with:

• coping skills training
• relaxation training
• pain management
• stress management
• general psychological counseling and treatment
• support groups
• exercise programs
• behavioral treatments that decrease side-effects of treatments and improve quality of life.

Dedicated to the early identification of behavioral problems or fears and beliefs about cancer or cancer care by providing treatment for distress, prevention of major problems and maintenance of good behavioral health and quality of life, Behavioral Medicine helps those experiencing problems adjusting to the demands of cancer care. For those who develop more disruptive problems like major depression, conventional psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are available.

Phone:

412-623-5888

• See also: UPCI Outpatient Pain Program

For more information about any of the services available at UPMC Cancer Centers, please call the UPMC Cancer Centers Information and Referral Service at 412-647-2811 or send us an e-mail via "Ask a Question Online."

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